To complete the last northern away trip of the season, and to maintain a lead of six points with a game in hand, is a major achievement.

But with rivals Manchester City watching Chelsea grind out another three points – they must wonder what they will have to do to close that gap.

Abel Hernandez scores the second goal for Hull City

Branislav Ivanovic is overdue a holiday

With a hand in both of the first half comedy defending episodes, and falling on his well-padded posterior not long after, Blues' normally reliable right back had a nightmare.

But, if truth be told, Branislav Ivanovic has looked off the boil for quite some time.

Jose Mourinho seems to see the Serbian as a key part of his set-up – but after this performance, there have to be questions about whether he might be politely handed a couple of tickets to the seaside.

Cesar Azpilicueta, who did not start today, is a ready made replacement. We may be about to see a bit more of him in his natural environment.

Loic Remy scores the third goal for Chelsea

Loic Remy needs to be given the chance to shine

The man who has spent so much of the season in the shadows was given a clear brief here – come on and score.

It took him a minute.

There was fortune in that winning goal – champions make their own luck, they say. But it showed the quality of the man that he could produce to order like that.

Diego Costa, despite scoring two in two, hasn't looked at his best – either here, or in other games of late.

It would be great to see what Remy could do with a bit more time on his side.

Zouma has earned his place among Mourinho's untouchables

The young French defender still has much to prove.

But despite only playing a bit part here at Hull, Kurt Zouma really should be an automatic pick.

More than anything, that is because of the risky nature of so much of Gary Cahill's play of late. An early yellow card here could easily have seen his day curtailed – and it was some surprise that Jose Mourinho didn't switch the two at half time.

With nine Premier League games to play, Zouma's ability to learn on the job will be crucial.